Thai opposition protesters stage new mass rally in Bangkok

Anti-government protesters rally at the Royal Plaza near the Government House in Bangkok, on March 29, 2014. Tens of thousands of Thai opposition protesters marched through Bangkok Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who faces a possible ban from politics for alleged negligence. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK (AFP) - Tens of thousands of Thai opposition protesters marched through Bangkok Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who faces a possible ban from politics for alleged negligence.

The new show of strength by the anti-government movement came on the eve of elections for the upper house of parliament, whose members could decide Yingluck's fate.

"I have come out to preserve democracy," said protester Jirapa Tantingarmkasem, who joined the march from the rally base in Lumpini Park to the city's Royal Plaza.

"I ask everyone to come out to protest. Fight! Fight!" Hundreds of demonstrators also swarmed into the grounds of the government headquarters, which have not been used by Yingluck's cabinet for months because of protests targeting state buildings.